swimming The River … (05/24/12)
“There is a river flowing now very fast — so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold onto the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly.
Know the river has its own destination. We must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open and our heads above water.
And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate.”
~ Hopi Prayer
……
Though there is only one River, within it flows channels infinite — each one flowing ultimately to the same sea; the Sea of Peace.
And yet to know this Peace, swim the River you must.
It is not enough to stand on the banks and admire its crashing rapids … It is not enough to sit and wonder what awaits those who brave its waters … It is not enough to merely dip your foot in its coolness; and it is even not enough to wade in up to your neck and then return to shore.
In order to receive the River’s priceless gift, you have to give It your life — you have to give it everything.
“There are no classes in life for beginners: right away you are always asked to deal with what is most difficult.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
Yes, for the River to carry you where you need to go, you must abandon all hope and dive completely in … You must release all fears and swim to the middle … You must let go of all that you desire and let the current take you where it will.
Of course, this River isn’t “success”, nor is it “salvation” or even “happiness” …
The River is Caring for the uncaring, forgiving the unforgivable and being Kind to strangers.
The River is serving our enemies and giving to our communities, especially when we have almost nothing left to give.
The River, my Friends, is LOVE
Its waters may seem cold at first, and its rapids may seem deadly, and yet it is the only way Home — and it waits to carry you there.
LOVE is the River — Dive in!
“The place God calls you to is where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” ~ Frederick Buechner
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